From New York Streets to the World of Verdi: My Journey into Opera

Looking back at my musical journey, it’s funny how our tastes evolve. In the late 1980s, you could often find me at Lincoln Center or Carnegie Hall in New York City. Back then, I was a devotee of pure instrumental forms—moving from the intimate structures of the sonata and concerto to the grand scale of the symphony.

For a long time, I kept opera at a distance. But around 2009, something shifted.

The Spark: La Traviata

My entry point into the world of opera was Verdi’s La Traviata. At the same time, I was exploring Bizet’s Carmen, but it was Verdi who truly captured my soul. I remember the feeling vividly: "Oh! This is the opera!" It wasn't just music; it was an entirely new world of emotional depth and dramatic power.

Once that door opened, there was no going back. I moved on to the grandeur of Aida, the dark intensity of Macbeth, and eventually, I made my way to the Metropolitan Opera for the first time to see Donizetti’s La fille du régiment. Seeing a live production solidified everything—the "real opera play" is an experience like no other.

A Verdi Obsession

Watch and Listen: I started with DVDs and videos to get the visual and emotional context.

Study: I’d dive into articles to understand the intricate musical details and historical backgrounds.

On the Go: I filled my car journeys with digital MP3s from Amazon Music and Prime Video.

One often-overlooked beauty of Verdi’s work is the ballet sequences. In operas like Macbeth, I Vespri Siciliani, and Aida, the dance adds a layer of elegance and spectacle that is uniquely "Grand Opera." While I love the works of Rossini, Donizetti, Bellini, and Puccini, Verdi remains the heart of my collection.

Visit the Yookstore

Many of the DVDs and CDs that fueled my passion are available at Yookstore.com. While many titles have migrated to digital platforms like Amazon and YouTube, I still believe there is something special about owning a physical copy of these masterpieces. My inventory is currently limited, but I would be so happy if my fellow opera lovers could find a gem for their own collection!

The Complete Operas of Giuseppe Verdi

For those looking to explore his legendary career, here is the full chronological list of Verdi's operatic works:

No	Year	Title
1	1839	Oberto, Conte di San Bonifacio
2	1840	Un giorno di regno
3	1842	Nabucco
4	1843	I Lombardi alla prima crociata
5	1844	Ernani
6	1844	I due Foscari
7	1845	Giovanna d'Arco
8	1845	Alzira
9	1846	Attila
10	1847	Macbeth (Revised 1865)
11	1847	I masnadieri
12	1847	Jérusalem (Revision of I Lombardi)
13	1848	Il corsaro
14	1849	La battaglia di Legnano
15	1849	Luisa Miller
16	1850	Stiffelio
17	1851	Rigoletto
18	1853	Il trovatore
19	1853	La traviata
20	1855	Les vêpres siciliennes (I vespri siciliani)
21	1857	Simon Boccanegra (Revised 1881)
22	1857	Aroldo (Revision of Stiffelio)
23	1859	Un ballo in maschera
24	1862	La forza del destino
25	1867	Don Carlos (Don Carlo)
26	1871	Aida
27	1887	Otello
28	1893	Falstaff

Which Verdi opera was your first? Whether you are a seasoned fan or a newcomer, I hope you find the same "new music world" that I did back in 2009.